Apparatus for separating the constituents of atmosphere



Oct. 10, 1950 AI J. FAUSEK EIAL 2,525,660 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING mCONSTITUENTS 0F ATMOSPHERE Filed Sept. 4, 1944 INVENTOR s ARTHuRJFAusEKlnwmc F. FAUSEK BY'WQQ ATTORNEY Patented Oct-10, 1950 APPARATUS FORSEPARATING THE CONSTITUENTS OF ATMOSPHERE Arthur 1. Punch and Irvin F.Fausek, Clayton, Mo.

Application September 4, 1944, Serial No. 552,599 '1 Claims. (Ci.52-123) This invention relates generally to apparatus for separating theconstituents of atmosphere, and more specifically to a liquefaction andrectification column assembly adapted for use in separating fromatmosphere and isolating, oxygen and nitrogen, the predominant object atthe invention being to provide such a liquefaction and rectificationcolumn assembly which is so completely automatic in its operation thatthe need for constant attentionof human operators during operation ofthe column assembly is dispensed with.

In the drawing, wherein the single view illustrates the improvedapparatus diagrammatically,

I designates aheat exchanger of suitable design, and 2 designates asuitable liquefier. Leading to the portion Id of the heat exchanger is aconductor 3 which conducts air to the heat exchanger from a compressor(not shown) after said air has been subjected to the usual scrubbing anddrying actions. The portion Id of the heatexchanger into which theincoming air is conducted by the conductor 3 is connected to acorresponding portion 2a of the liquefier 2 by a conductor 4, andconnected into said conductor rangement part of the air moving from theheat exchanger I passes to the liquefier 2 through the conductor 4, andpart of said air passes to the expansion engine I through the branchconductor 5, the point of division of said parts of said air being thepoint 5 where the conductors 4 and 6 are interconnected. The branchconductor 6 has interposed therein a valve 8 which is operable tocontrol passage of air through said conductor to the expansion enginel.

The assembly of the present invention'includes a liquefaction andrectification column 9 which comprises the usual vertically disposedhousing in the lower portion of which a boiling pot i0 is arranged forthe reception of liquid oxygen resulting from the operation of thecolumn. 5

Arranged within the upper portion of the column 9 is a dephlegmator IIwhich includes a bottom, horizontal wall l2 that is suitably supportedby the housing of the column, and a hollow, upper head [3. Thedephlegmator ll includes, also, a nest of vertically disposed tubes I4which are secured at their opposite ends to the lowerwall oi. the headI3 and to the bottom, horizontal wall 12, so that said tubes communicateat their upper ends with the chamber I3 within the head I3,

and at their lower ends with the interior of the column beneath thebottom, horizontal wall l2.

Located within the column 9, below the bottom,

horizontal wall of the dephlegmator II, is an expansion valve l5, saidexpansion valve being connected into the space above the bottom,horizontal wall of the dephlegmator by a tube IS. The column isprovided, also, with the usual rectification trays I! which serve afunction well known to persons familiar with the art to which thisinvention relates.

Extended from the expansion engine 1 is a conductor l8 which extendsinto and through the boiling pot ID of the column 9 and outwardly fromsaid boiling .pot to a portion l9a of a subcooler IS. The conductor l8extends continuously from the expansion engine to the sub-cooler, andthe ,portion of said conductor which is located within the boiling potin of the column 9 is of tortuous formation as shown in the drawing.Arranged in embracing relation with respect to the tortuous portion ofthe conductor H! which is located within the boiling pot of the column9, and with respect to portions of said conductor located immediatelyoutwardly of the housing of the column, is a tube 20 which is closed atits opposite ends and is of such diameter that an annular space isprovided throughout said tube between the wall thereof and the wall ofthe portion of the conductor l8 which is embraced by said tube.

The annular space'within-the tube 20 is connected to the portion of theliquefier into which air is introduced by the conductor 4 by a conductor2|, and interposed in this conductor 2| is a temperature-responsivedevice 22. The particular temperature-responsive device 22 illustratedin the drawing comprises a lower housing portion 23 which provides achamber 24 into which portions of the conductor 2| are connected, sothat air passing from the liquefier 2 to the tube 20, through theconductor 2|, will pass through the chamber 24. Thetemperatureresponsive device 22 includes, also, a bellows-type diaphragm25 which is secured at its lower end to a receptacle 26 which is fixedto, or is formed integral with, the lower housing 23, and extendsdownwardly into the chamber 24 of said lower housing. The interiors ofthe receptacle 26 and the diaphragm provide a chamber which containspetroleum vapor, or other suitable gas which liquefies only at very lowtemperature, there being (a coil spring 21 interposed between the topwall of the diaphragm and the top wall of an upper housing portion 28which embraces the diaphragm and said coil spring. The top wall of thediaphragm 25 of the temperature-responsive device 22 has fixed thereto arod 28 that extends through an opening formed through the top wall ofthe upper housing 28 and which serves a purpose to be hereinafter setforth. Also, the receptacle 26 has formed thereon fins 30 that aredisposed within the chamber 24 of the lower housing portion 23 and whichprovide said receptacle with additional cooling surfaces.

The annular space within the tube 20, between the wall thereof and thewall of the conductor I8, has connected thereinto a conductor 3| whichleads from said tube to the bottom of a portion I9b of the sub-coolerI9, and from the upper portion of this same portion of the sub-cooler, aconductor 32 leads to the upper portion of the column 9, above thebottom, horizontal wall of the dephlegmator I I. Likewise, leading fromthe upper portion of the portion of the sub-cooler to the lower portionof which the conductor I8 leads, is a conductor 33 which is connectedinto the conductor 32. The conductor 32 has interposed therein anexpansion valve 34 which is provided with an operating arm 34, andconnected to this operating arm and to the rod 29 of thetemperature-responsive device 22 is a flexible element 35 which passesover suitably located pulleys 36.

Connected into the chamber I3 of the head of the dephlegmator II is apure nitrogen conductor 31, which is provided with a valve 31', andleads from said chamber I3 to the portion I80 of the sub-cooler I9, andfrom said sub-cooler portion I90 a conductor 38 leads to the portion 20of the liquefier 2. In like manner, the portion 20 of the liquefier 2 isconnected by a conductor 39 to the portion of the heat exchanger I, andan outlet conductor 48 leads from said heat exchanger portion I 0.Likewise, an impure nitrogen conductor 4|, which is provided with avalve 4|, leads from the top of the column to the portion I9d of thesub-cooler I9; and a conductor "leads from said sub-cooler portion I911to a portion 2b of the liquefier 2, there being, also, a conductor 43which leads from the liquefier portion 2?) to the heat exchanger portionIb, and an outlet conductor 44 which leads from said heat exchangerportion Ib. Also, the improved assembly includes an oxygen conductor 45which leads from the boiling pot of the column 9 to the portion 2d ofthe liquefier 2, said liquefier portion 211 being connected by aconductor 46 to the portion Id of the heat exchanger I and an outletconductor 41 being provided which leads from said heat exchanger portionId through which oxygen is withdrawn.

The valve 8, which is interposed in the conductor I8 that leads to theexpansion engine I, is provided with pressure-responsive means 48 foroperating said valve. This pressure-responsive means comprises acylinder 49 provided with a piston 50 adapted for reciprocatory movementwithin said cylinder. A conductor is connected at one of its ends intothe air inlet conductor 3 of the heat exchanger and at its opposite endsaid conductor 5| is connected into the cylinder 49 at one side of thepiston therein. Connected into the cylinder 49 at the opposite side ofthe piston 58 is a conductor 52, and this conductor 52 is connected,also, to a receptacle 53 which contains air, or other medium, underpressure. The conductor 52 has interposedtherein a pressure regulator 54which is operable, in an obvious manner, to maintain within the cylinder49 at one side of the piston a predetermined pressure. Also,

if desired, a coil spring 55 may be arranged within the cylinder 48 ininterposed relation between the piston and a wall of the cylinder, so asto stabilize movement of the piston, and a rod 55 is fixed to the pistonand extends through a wall thereof. The rod 58 is connected to theoperating arm 8" of the valve! by a suitable connecting element 51.

The valve 21 which is interposed in the conductor 31, and the valve 4|,which is interposed in the conductor 4|, are provided with apressureresponsive means 58 and 58 for operating said valves which areconstructed and arranged in accordance with the pressure-responsivemeans 48 just described. In other words each of the pressure responsivemeans 58 and 58' comprises a cyl inder 59 wherein a piston is mountedfor reciprocatory movement. A conductor 6| is connected at one of itsends into the conductor 31 and at its opposite end into the cylinder ofthe pressure-responsive means 58 at one side of the piston therein,while a conductor 52 is connected at its opposite ends into theconductor 4| and into the cylinder of the pressure-responsive means 58'at one side of the piston in said cylinder. Connected into the cylindersof the pressure-responsive means 58 and 58', at the sides of the pistonsopposite to the sides thereof at which the conductors GI and 62 entersaid cylinders, are conductors 63 which lead from receptacles 64 thatcontain air, or other medium, under pressure, the conductor 63 of eachof the pressure-responsive means 58 and 58' having interposed therein apressure regulator which serves to maintain a predetermined pressurewithin the cylinder at one side of the piston therein. The piston 68 ofthe pressure-responsive means 58 is provided with a rod 66 which extendsthrough a. wall of the cylinder and is connected by a connecting element61 to the operating arm 58 of the valve 31, while the piston 88 of thepressure-responsive means 58 is provided with a similar rod 88 thatextends through a wall of the cylinder and is connected by a connectingelement II to the operating arm II of the valve 4|.

In the operation of the improved column assembly disclosed herein, airfrom a compressor, after being subjected to drying, scrubbing, and otherdesired preliminary actions, is admitted to the heat exchanger I by wayof the conductor 3. After passing through the heat exchanger the air isdivided at the point 5 of the conductor 4, part of said air beingdelivered by the conductor 6 to the expansion engine I, and theremaining portion passing through the liquefier where it is additionallycooled. The air which passes through the liquefier passes through theconductor 2 I, said air moving through the chamber 24 of thetemperature-responsive device 22 and eventually being discharged intothe space within the tube 20 between the wall thereof and the wall ofthe conductor I8, whence it passes through the conductor 3| to andthrough the sub-cooler I9 and to and through the conductor 32 to thecolumn 8.

The amount of air which is permitted to pass through the expansion valve34 of the conductor 32 is controlled by the temperature-responsivedevice 22, inasmuch as the volume of the gas within the diaphragm ofsaid temperature-responsive device will vary in accordance with changesin temperature of the air passing through the chamber 24 of saidtemperature-responsive device. This will subject the diaphragm tomovement which will be transmitted to the operating if the volume of airpassing through the expansion valve 34 is diminished, more airmust passthrough the valve 8 to the expansion engine 1, or pressure in the systemwill raise. This is accomplished by setting the pressure regulator 54 to,a predetermined pressure which acts against one side of the piston 50,within the cylinder 49,

to maintain the valve 8 in such position that a predetermined volume ofair is permitted to flow through said valve to the expansion engine, andwhen the pressure of the incoming air exceeds the pressure in thecylinder 49 which is controlled by the pressure regulator 54, the piston50 will be moved by such greater pressure to operate the valve 8 so thata greater volume of air may pass to the expansion engine I. In thismanner constant pressure is automatically maintained in the system atall times during operation thereof.

Air from the expansion engine 1 passes through the conductor l8 andmoves unrestricted through the sub-cooler i9 and into the dephlegmator lI of the column 9 by way of the conductor 33. This allows air from theexpansion engine to be expanded to zero pressure, or nearly so, and thefull refrigeration effect is attained, while air from the liquefier,which passes through the conductor 2!, the tube 20, the sub-cooler l9,and the conductor 32, is carried at full pressure to the expansion valve34, where it is expanded with full refrigeration, and combines with theair from the expansion engine for delivery to the dephlegmator l I ofthe column 9. Liquid from the dephlegmator Ifpasses by way of the tubeIE to the expansion valve l5 from which it is discharged for descentthrough the column. s i

In like manner, the pressure-responsive means 58 and 58 automaticallycontrol operation of the valves 31 and 4| of the conductors 31 and 4|.In other words the pressure regulators 65 of said pressure-responsivemeans 58 and 58' are set so that a predetermined pressure is maintainedat one side of the piston 60 of each of said pressure-responsive means.This will maintain the valves 31' and 4| in predetermined positions, andwhen the pressures in the conductors BI and 62 exceed the pressures forwhich the pressure regulators 65 are set the pistons 60 will be moved bysuch greater pressures to operate the valves to permit greater volumesof medium to pass through said valves and through the conductors withwhich they are associated.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereof, aliquefler, an expansion engine, conducting means for delivering part ofthe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefier and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a valve for controlling passage of medium from saidheat exchanger to said expansion engine and operable in response tochanges in pressure of medium entering said heat exchanger, aliquefaction. and rectification column, said column ill having a boilingpot wherein liquidmedium collects during operation of the apparatus,conducting means leading from said liquefier toward the upper portion ofsaid column, a alve interposed in said conducting means which leads fromsaid liquefier to the upper portion of said'column and operable inresponse to temperature changes of medium passing through saidconducting means, conducting means leading from said expansion enginetoward the upper portion of said. column, said conducting means leadingfrom said liquefier and said conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine having independent portions which are disposed in saidboiling pot of said column whereby the mediums passing through saidconductor means portions which are of rela tively high temperature willcause the liquid medium contained in the boiling pot of said column togive oii vapor for upward movement through said column, conducting meanscommon to and communicating with portions of the conducting meansleading from said liqueiier and the conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine which delivers the combined mediums passing from saidliquefler and said expansion engine to the upper portion of said column,and a pure nitrogen conducting means leading from the upper portion ofsaid column, a valve inter-- posed in said pure nitrogen conductingmeans and operable in response to changes in pressure of the nitrogenpassing through said pure nitrogen conducting means.

2. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes a heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereof, aliquefier, an expansion engine, conducting means for delivering part ofthe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefier and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a valve for controlling passage of medium from saidheat exchanger tosaicl expansion engine and operable in response tochanges in pressure of medium entering said heat exchanger, aliquefaction and rectification column,

.said column having a boiling pot wherein liquid medium collects duringoperation of the apparatus, conducting means leading from said liquefiertoward the upper portion of said column, a valve interposed in saidconducting means lead ing from said liquefier toward the upper portionof said column and operable in response to temperature changes of mediumpassing through said conducting means, conducting means leading fromsaid expansion engine toward the upper portion of said column, saidconducting means leading from said liquefier and said conducting meansleading from said expansion engine having independent portions which aredisposed in said boiling pot of said column'whereby the mediums passingthrough said conductor means portions which are of relatively hightemperature will cause the liquid medium contained in the boiling pot ofsaid column to give off vapor for upward movement through said column,conducting means common to and communicating with portions ofltheconducting means leading from said liquefier and the conducting meansleading from said expansion engine which delivers the combined mediumspassing from sm'd liqueiier and said expansion engine to the upperportion of said column, a pure nitrogen conducting means leading fromthe upper portion of said column, a .valve interposed in said purenitrogen conductr 7 1118 means, an impure nitrogen conducting mealeading from the top of said column, and a valve interposed in saidimpure nitrogen conducting means, said valves of said pure nitrogenconducting means and said impure nitrogen conducting means beingoperable respectively in response to pressure changes of medium passingthrough said pure nitrogen conducting means and said impure nitrogenconducting means.

3. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes a heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereof, aliquefier, an expansion engine, conducting means for delivering part ofthe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefier and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a liquefaction and rectification column, said columnhaving a boiling pot wherein liquid medium collects during operation ofthe apparatus, conducting means leading from said liquefier toward theupper portion of said column, conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine toward the upper portion of said column, saidconducting means leading from said liqueher and said conducting meansleading from said expansion engine having independent tortuous portionswhich are arranged one within another and are disposed in said boilingpot of said column whereby the mediums passing through said conductormeans portions which are of relatively high temperature will cause theliquid medium contained in the boiling pot of said column to give ofivapor for upward movement through said column, and conducting meanscommon to and communicating with portions of the conducting meansleading from said liquefier and the conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine which delivers the combined mediums pass ing from saidliquefier and said expansion engine to the upper portion of said column.

4. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes a heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereof, aliquefier, an expansion engine, conducting means for delivering part ofthe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefier and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a liquefaction and rectification column, said columnhaving a, boiling pot wherein liquid medium collects during operation ofthe apparatus, conducting means leading from said liquefier toward theupper portion of said column, conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine toward the upper portion of said column, saidconducting means leading from said liquefier and said conducting meansleading from said expansion engine having independent tortuous portionswhich are arranged one within another with an annular space between thewalls thereof and are disposed in said boiling pot of said columnwhereby the mediums passing through said conductor means portions whichare of relatively high temperature will cause the liquid mediumcontained in the boiling pot of said column to give oil vapor for upwardmovement through said column, and conducting means common to andcommunicating with portions of the conducting means leading irom saidliquefier and the conducting means leading from said expansion enginewhich delivers the combined mediums passing from said liquefler and saidexpansion engine to the upper portion of said column.

5. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes a heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereof, allquefier, an expansion en ine, conducting means for delivering part ofthe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefler and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a liquefaction and rectification column, said columnhaving a boiling pot wherein liquid medium collects during operation ofthe apparatus, conducting means leading from said liquefier to the upperportion of said column, conducting means leading from said expansionengine to the upper portion of said column, said conducting meansleading from said liquefler and said conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine having independent portions which are disposed in saidboiling pot of said column whereby the mediums passing through saidconductor means portions which are of relatively high temperature willcause the liquid medium contained in the boiling pot of said column togive ofi vapor for upward movement through said column, a' valveinterposed in said conducting means which leads from said liquefler tothe upper portion of said column, and temperature-responsive meansresponsive to the temperature of medium passing through said conductingmeans for actuating said valve, said valve being disposed in saidconducting means leading from said liqueiier to the upper portion ofcolumn at a point adjacent to the upper portion of said column, and saidtemperature-responsive means being interposed in said conducting meansat point adjacent to said liquefier.

6. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes a heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereof, aliquefier, an expansion engine, conducting means for delivering part ofthe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefier and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a liquefaction and rectification column, said columnhaving a boiling pot wherein liquid medium collects during operation ofthe apparatus, conducting means leading from said liquefler to the upperportion of said column, conducting means leading from said expansionengine to the upper portion of said column, said conducting meansleading from said liquefler and said conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine having independent portions which are disposed in saidboiling pot of said column whereby the mediums passing through saidconductor means portions which are of relatively high temperature willcause the liquid medium contained in the boiling pot of said column togive of!" vapor for upward movement through said point adjacent to saidliqueiler, and means for sponsive means to said valve.

7. An apparatus for separating the constituents of a gaseous mediumwhich includes 9, heat exchanger to which a gaseous medium undercompression is delivered for reducing the temperature thereofQaliquefier, an expansion engine, conducting means for delivering part oithe medium passing from said heat exchanger to said liquefier and fordelivering part of said medium passing from said heat exchanger to saidexpansion engine, a liquefaction andrectification column, said columnhaving a boiling pot wherein liquid medium collects during operation ofthe apparatus, conducting means leading from said liquefier toward theupper portion of said column, conducting means leading from saidexpansion engine toward the upper portion of said column, a subcoolerhaving independent passageways therethrough which form parts of theconducting means leading from said liquefier toward the upper portion ofsaid column and of the conducting means leading from said expansionengine toward the upper portion of said column, said subcooler servingto additionally reduce the temperature of medium passing therethrough,

said conducting means leading from said liquefier and said conductingmeans leading from said expansion engine having independent portionswhich are disposed in said boiling pot of said column whereby themediums passing through said conductor means portions which are ofrelatively high temperature will cause the liquid medium contained inthe boiling pot of said column to give of! vapor for upward movementthrough said column, and conducting means common to and communicatingwith portions of the conducting means leading from said liquefier andthe conducting means leading from said expansion engine which deliversthe combined mediums passing from said iiquefier and said expansionengine to the upper portion of said column.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,664,412 Haynes Apr. 3, 19281,808,087 Urquhart June 2, 1931 1,917,891 Levin July 11, 1933 1,968,518Fraser July 31, 1934 2,280,383 De Baufre Apr. 21, 1942 2,337,474Kornemann et a1. Dec. 21, 1943 2,360,468 Brown Oct. 17, 1944 2,363,200Pew Nov. 21, 1944

